adding an air system

[angel_lover]

I went to the fish store the other day wanting to add an air system to my 55 gallon tank.The guy told me that they are cosmetic and dont actually add more oxygen to the tank Is this true???Cuz it really looks like my angels do not have enough oxygen for some reason

 

[kent]

how do u know that your angels don't get enough oxygen? just wondering...

 

[Nethius]

basically anything that disturbs the water surface will help aerate the water. so yes they do help. a powerhead would help as well. filters like aquaclear do a good job of this i find

just make sure the surface of the water is not sitting still. having it moving is what helps get oxygen into the water, it's just not the bubbles themselves

 

[MaddEnemy]

when the bubbles pop at the water surface

 

[angel_lover]

Ok I have an aquaclear which runs really smooth but it does put bubbles at the top.Maybe I am just being paranoid but their gills seem to be moving hard and it looks like they are gasping all the time.

 

[Daveo]

Well i have a whisper for the tank(10-30, air pump I guess you can call it) and that just does the trick. Well i have it canected to a bubble wond.


Daveo

 

[smithrc]

stick with that lfs - they speak the truth (and thats a rear thing)

they could have just sold you a pump and 'feature' but they told you the truth instead!

 

[fishlover900]

Buy a air pump and stone, not only does it help to put oxygen in the water, but it looks nice when you look into a tank!

 

[Helium_Junkie]

Buy an Air Curtain, they rock! Long line of small bubbles
A flexable one is best.
I have mine arranged in a semi circle behind a small cave I made from 3 rocks. Looks great

Just a hint, buy some little suction cup holders for the tubing as it floats when full of air, and is very difficult to make it stay in place without these!

Also get a gang valve, they take the pumps output and split it into several outputs, which is very useful! I drive an air curtain, 2 air stones (one is insode an ornament so the ornament bubbles) and a air powered bridge thingy off a small air pump with a gang valve My tubes are all suckered to the inside AND outside of the tank so they look neat(ish) and then buried under gravel. I plan to sucker them to the bottom of the tank too once I have thoroughly settled on the layout.

A decent air system can make a great impact to the tank, and the more turbulence on the surface of the water the better!